Tuesday traffic stop, car chase lead to arrests of four wanted suspects

Thursday

Mar 28, 2013 at 12:15 AMMar 28, 2013 at 6:53 AM

The search for a man who fled from police during a traffic stop Tuesday led to the arrests of three additional suspects who were wanted by law enforcement, Medford police reported.

By RYAN PFEIL

The search for a man who fled from police during a traffic stop Tuesday led to the arrests of three additional suspects who were wanted by law enforcement, Medford police reported.

Antonio Justin Serna, 24, was held in the Jackson County Jail Wednesday without bail on charges of attempt to elude, attempt to elude on foot, reckless driving, driving while suspended and a probation violation.

The chase started just before 4 p.m. Tuesday when Medford police attempted to make a traffic stop near the corner of West Main and Chestnut streets. Serna, driving a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup, failed to yield and drove away from the officer. Police say Serna abandoned the vehicle near the intersection of Meadows Lane and Chestnut Street and ran away.

Police said they later found Serna hiding under a pickup in the 400 block of Benson Street. He was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

During the search, three other men with outstanding warrants also were arrested and lodged in the jail, police said.

"(Police) either saw someone in the area they knew had a warrant or, in casual contacts while searching, they found people that had warrants," said Sgt. Josh Reimer. The additional arrests were unrelated to the pursuit of Serna, Reimer added.

Mitchell Maloney, 21, of Medford, was arrested on a parole violation stemming from a past assault charge, jail records show. He was being held in jail without bail. Mario Fletes, 20, was arrested on multiple warrants out of Roseburg and for possession of methamphetamine. Kevin Raymond, 31, of Medford, was arrested for failure to appear. Neither Fletes nor Raymond were in custody Wednesday afternoon according to jail records.

Police chalked up the three additional arrests to good luck.

"This was all just chance," said Cpl. Joshua Schilder. "It's unusual to come into an area and have three people there that are wanted."

Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or by email at rpfeil@mailtribune.com.